Grape Seed Extract

Grape Seed Extract (10th June 2022):

Grapes, along with their sap and leaves – have been traditional medications in Europe for a long time. Grape seed extract is a dietary supplement obtained by removing, drying, and grinding the bitter-tasting grape seeds. Grape seeds are rich in antioxidants, including anthocyanin, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Complexes (OPCs). In fact, grape seed extract is one of the best-known sources of proanthocyanidins. Due to its elevated antioxidant content, Grape Seed Extract can help counteract disease and protect against tissue damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation. There is also evidence that grape seed extract is helpful for a number of cardiovascular (related to heart and blood vessels) disorders.

Benefits of Grape Seed Extract 

Can Reduce Blood Pressure

Various researches have studied the effects of GSE on high blood pressure. A review of 16 studies in 800 people with elevated blood pressure or a high risk of it observed that taking 100 – 2000 mg of Grape Seed Extract daily sufficiently decreased diastolic and systolic blood pressure (the top and the bottom number) by an average of 6.08 mmHg and 2.8 mmHg, respectively. Those under the age of 50 with a metabolic disorder or obesity showed the greatest benefits. The most assuring results came from lower doses of 100 – 800 mg daily for 8 – 16 weeks, rather than a single dose of 800 mg or more. Another study in 29 adults with high blood pressure established that taking 300 mg of Grape Seed Extract daily lowered systolic blood pressure by 5.6% and diastolic blood pressure by 4.7% after 6 weeks.

Improves Blood Flow

Some researches suggest that Grape Seed Extract may enhance blood flow. In an 8 week research in 17 healthy postmenopausal women, taking 400 mg of Grape Seed Extract had blood-thinning effects, potentially reducing the risk of blood clots. An additional study in 8 healthy young women evaluated the benefits of a single 400 mg dose of proanthocyanidinfrom Grape Seed Extract right away followed by 6 hours of sitting. It was shown to lessen leg swelling and edema by 70%, compared with not taking Grape Seed Extract.

Can Reduce Oxidative Damage

A high blood level of LDL (bad) cholesterol is a common risk factor for heart disease. The oxidation of LDL cholesterol particularly increases the risk and plays a central role in atherosclerosis, or the buildup of fatty plaque in your arteries. Grape Seed Extract supplements have been proven to reduce LDL oxidation triggered by high fat diets. When 8 healthy people ate a high fat meal, ingesting 300 mg of Grape Seed Extract prevented the oxidation of fats in the blood, compared with a 150% raise in those who did not take Grape Seed Extract. In another research, 60 healthy adults observed a 13.9% reduction in oxidized LDL after taking 400 mg of Grape Seed Extract. Additionally, a study in 87 people undergoing heart surgery found that taking 400 mg of Grape Seed Extract the day before surgery significantly reduced oxidative stress. Therefore, Grape Seed Extract apparently protected against further heart damage.

May Improve Collagen Levels and Bone Strength

Increasing flavonoid consumption may improve collagen synthesis and bone formation. As a rich source of flavonoids, Grape Seed Extract may thus help increase your bone density and strength. In fact, studies have observed that adding Grape Seed Extract to either a low calcium, standard, or high calcium diet can increase bone density, mineral content, and bone strength. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that results in intense inflammation and the ruin of joints and bones. Studies have shown that Grape Seed Extract may restrain bone destruction in inflammatory autoimmune arthritis.

Supports Your Brain As It Ages

Flavonoids’ combination of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features are thought to reduce or delay the onset of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. One of the components of Grape Seed Extract is Gallic acid, which animal and lab researches have shown can resist the formation of fibrils by beta-amyloid peptides. Clusters of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have observed that Grape Seed Extract may prevent memory loss, improve cognitive status and brain antioxidant levels, and decreases brain lesions and amyloid clusters. A 12 week study in 110 healthy older adults found that taking 150 mg of Grape Seed Extract per day improved language, attention, and both delayed and immediate memory.

Improves Kidney Function

Your kidneys are specifically efficient to oxidative harm, which is often constant. Researches have shown that Grape Seed Extract may reduce kidney damage and raise function by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammatory damage. In one study, 23 people diagnosed with chronic renal failure were given 2 grams of Grape Seed Extract daily for 6 months. It was observed that their urinary protein was decreased by 3% and kidney filtration improved by 9.

Can Restrain Infectious Growth

Grape Seed Extract shows promising antifungal and antibacterial properties. Studies have observed that Grape Seed Extract inhibits the growth of common foodborne bacteria, including E. coli and Campylobacter, both of which are frequently responsible for terrible food poisoning and abdominal upset. In lab researches, Grape Seed Extracthas been found to inhibit 43 strains of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.

 May Reduce Cancer Risk

The reasons of cancer are complicated, though DNA damage is a main property. A high intake of antioxidants, such as proanthocyanidins and flavonoids, are linked with a decreased risk of several cancers. The antioxidant characteristics of Grape Seed Extract have shown potential to restrain human lung, gastric, oral squamous cell, prostate, liver, and pancreatic cell lines in laboratory settings. In various studies, Grape Seed Extract has been displayed to improve the effect of different types of chemotherapy. Grape Seed Extract seems to protect against oxidative stress and liver toxicity while targeting chemotherapy action on cancerous cells. A review of 40 studies observed that Grape Seed Extract reduced cancer-induced damage and toxicity.

Final Thoughts

Grape Seed Extract is a dietary supplement and a potent source of antioxidants. The antioxidants may help reduce the inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue damage that can happen alongside chronic diseases. By supplementing with Grape Seed Extract under your natural health practitioner’s advice, you will gather the benefits of better heart, liver, kidney, brain and even skin health.